RE: Dacia Duster

Wednesday 9th January 2013

Driven: Dacia Duster

Harris - yes, that Harris - gets excited about a Romanian-built budget 4x4



I had an enjoyable dinner the other night with a Frenchman. As is always the case when I'm placed in such company I became a fawning sycophant because so much about his homeland appeals to me, but mostly because he was willing to discuss the cheap cars of his youth - referring to nomenclature en Francais.

Utilitarian but all the better for it
Utilitarian but all the better for it
And so I disappeared into a world of Cinqs and Deesses, and why I still have an AX and a 205 - le sacre numero!

And then I described to this non-domiciled Frenchman the concept of the Dacia Duster. I told him it was built in Romania, suffused with a rugged charm and sold for the type of money that gets lost on a 5 Series spec sheet. As the ultimate arbiters of what constitutes a great family car, I told him the French have gone crazy for the Duster. Without even knowing what it was, he said he could understand why - it fitted the template for great blue-collar French motoring.

Fit for purpose
Well, I used a Duster in the UK for a week in December. The one when it rained the whole time. It was the cheapest 4WD model Renault UK could lend me - a LHD German registered car with no radio, handles for the windows and a petrol engine. This will cost £10,995 when it lands in the UK, and I think for that you will get electric windows as standard. They would rather spoil the package for me. If you're going to do something properly - in this case buy the most basic car available - then you might as well have the full poverty experience.

Steel wheels - remember them?
Steel wheels - remember them?
Every time I wound down the window, I smiled. Just as well, because the lack of air-con means the Duster steams-up faster than a Vectra on dogging duty.

Does it drive well enough for a rugged little 4x4 that costs less than a supermini? Absolutely. To overcome the gasoline engine's lack of torque, they've fitted very short first and second gears, and it's a decent solution. The only problem being that once into the next four ratios, the Duster doesn't feel too sprightly.

Back to basics
The driving position is pretty good, given that the steering wheel is fixed. Front seats have some padding and the dashboard looks uncannily like a reunion party for Renault switchgear from the late 90s - because that's exactly what it is. Again, with such low expectations, I was pleased with the tough surfaces and dinky switches - but many consumer reviews I've read really hit the Duster for being so stark inside. For me, that's a key element of its appeal. Sadly, by the time the Duster goes on sale in the UK in the coming months, it will have some fancy pants facelift dash with lights and stuff.

Switchable 4WD gives real off-road ability
Switchable 4WD gives real off-road ability
On winter tyres the ride was on the plush side of good, the steering was fine, but the car did have a tendency to require extra inputs when you thought constant lock would have carved the same radius. In other words, she does wallow in the bends a bit, But what's a bit of body roll between friends? Especially when you consider that with the switchable 4WD it'll play the billy goat to a level that most of us will never need. Seriously, it's very good off road and in full UN spec you don't feel guilty applying a few war wounds to those white body panels.

Now I could go on and on telling you objectively why the Duster offers exactly what you'd expect for the money, and in many aspects, a little bit more than anyone should deserve for the money. But none of that matters in a place like this because the Duster has charm - and that is a rare commodity these days.

Just think what you can spend the rest on...
Just think what you can spend the rest on...
Blunt tool
You drive it with a Ready Brek glow of satisfaction, knowing that it's the antidote to the German luxo-brands and all the more appealing for it. It recalls the days when family cars were designed to withstand the rigours of a young family kicking the hell out of it, and little more. In white, on steelies it has a kind of blunt industrial beauty that people who love basic French machinery will adore - I certainly did.

The three-star NCAP rating isn't great, but then most of the sheds we fawn over wouldn't even register on the crash scale and even quite recent machinery that was considered class-leading when new would struggle to beat three stars in today's tests.

The Duster instinctively feels like a car for the moment: pared-back for a generation of families that need motoring and not marketing. It also provides a solution for those seeking dual car ownership - something silly for weekends and something sensible for the daily trudge. I can't think of a new car that would be so enjoyable to trudge in so cheaply.

Although I would insist on fitting a long wave radio. And a dashboard fan for summer traffic jams.


DACIA DUSTER ACCESS 1.6 16V 105 4x4
Engine:
1,598cc 4-cyl
Transmission: 6-speed manual, four -wheel drive
Power (hp): 105@5,750rpm
Torque (lb ft): 109@3,750rpm
0-62mph: 12.8sec
Top speed: 99mph
Weight: 1,250kg
MPG: 35.3mpg (NEDC combined)
CO2: 185g/km
Price: £10,995

 

Author
Discussion

W124

Original Poster:

1,497 posts

137 months

Wednesday 9th January 2013
quotequote all
I don't want to re-open the old AC debate - but can we have the most basic model with A/C? - Renault have missed a bit of a Eureka moment there marketing wise. They don't seem to see what a Hoxton to Harrogate success this could be. Poverty spec/UN white - black bumpers - steels - 2WD - AC - how hard can that be? Charge more if you like for it...

I might actually buy that - and that's saying something.

W124

Original Poster:

1,497 posts

137 months

Wednesday 9th January 2013
quotequote all
I love steels - just come from an old W124 on steel rims to a newer 210 with alloys - even though I know the car is worth less than my guitar I still cringe when I curb them.

busta

4,504 posts

232 months

Wednesday 9th January 2013
quotequote all
1,250kg! That's awesome for a robust 4x4. Would a Clio 182 or Magane 225 engine fit?

K5tealth

92 posts

153 months

Wednesday 9th January 2013
quotequote all
I still think they have missed a trick by not allowing you to add options (like air con/Radio) to the poverty spec version. Suddenly 8,995 becomes 12,995

mccrackenj

2,041 posts

225 months

Wednesday 9th January 2013
quotequote all
W124 said:
I love steels - just come from an old W124 on steel rims to a newer 210 with alloys - even though I know the car is worth less than my guitar I still cringe when I curb them.
Just love the painted uncovered steels too, so refreshing.

I'll be taking the 15 hole alloys of my latest W124 soon for a refurb and will be putting steels on for a while. I had already painted one of the steels in wheel silver paint with a few top coats of lacquer for a laugh. After seeing this I'm very tempted to do all 4 now and put them on the W124 without plastic covers. If I do I'll take a picture.

Coldfuse

518 posts

193 months

Wednesday 9th January 2013
quotequote all
Have to agree with Monkey and say that this car is really appealing if you needed a cheap 4x4. smile

Chris Harris

494 posts

152 months

Wednesday 9th January 2013
quotequote all
Agreed.

I'd want a 4x4 diesel with air-con and some bottom warmers. Nothing else.

Harji

2,196 posts

160 months

Wednesday 9th January 2013
quotequote all
ive driven one in Romania during a winter across all sorts or roads and surfaces, mainly st.

it handled everything well and was pretty economical.

IanO

104 posts

236 months

Wednesday 9th January 2013
quotequote all
Chris Harris said:
Agreed.

I'd want a 4x4 diesel with air-con and some bottom warmers. Nothing else.
Maybe lane assist and keyless entry, but then that really is it.

W124

Original Poster:

1,497 posts

137 months

Wednesday 9th January 2013
quotequote all
Totally on it with the wind up windows as well. It's a better solution for a cheap car. Not a fan of heated seats particularly but summer plus kids plus no A/C is too much for me. It's light enough for a petrol I'd say - I'd keep it for years and run it into the ground so no re-sale petrol issues and no exploding diesels.

V8 FOU

2,970 posts

146 months

Wednesday 9th January 2013
quotequote all
Chris Harris said:
Agreed.

I'd want a 4x4 diesel with air-con and some bottom warmers. Nothing else.
Ah, there is the point, Chris.

Have a few options for people to add, and it will sell even better. Plus the dealers will love the extra profit - because you can bet that they are working on a very small margin on these to keep the price down. In fact, like the Fiat 500, £0 margin with a handling fee + bonus at the end of the 1/4.

Excellent car for the times. Or any time, come to that...

V8 FOU

2,970 posts

146 months

Wednesday 9th January 2013
quotequote all
IanO said:
Maybe lane assist and keyless entry, but then that really is it.
Oh, perleease... Lane assist? Wrong car for you I think. spend the money on driving lessons.

Keyless entry is the biggest cause of breakdowns these days, especially on Renaults as the "slot" in the dash dissasppears into the abyss of behind the dash.

300bhp/ton

41,030 posts

189 months

Wednesday 9th January 2013
quotequote all
PH bods living in non reality again where every car has air con??? wink

PH said:
because the lack of air-con means the Duster steams-up

GC8

19,910 posts

189 months

Wednesday 9th January 2013
quotequote all
Mainstream manufacturers dont have a track record for allowing all options to be specified on all models - the very opposite is true, unfortunately.

Theyre always seen as a means to sell a £20,000 model, rahte rthan a £10,000 base model.

unpc

2,831 posts

212 months

Wednesday 9th January 2013
quotequote all
I want one of these instead of my Defender company car but the boss is not so keen. These are ideal for me. The RHD ones are built in India I believe.

IanO

104 posts

236 months

Wednesday 9th January 2013
quotequote all
V8 FOU said:
Oh, perleease... Lane assist? Wrong car for you I think. spend the money on driving lessons.

Keyless entry is the biggest cause of breakdowns these days, especially on Renaults as the "slot" in the dash dissasppears into the abyss of behind the dash.
But I was prepared to for go pedestrian night vision cameras and foot operated opening boot lid, neither of which need driving lessons.

My point with the virtue of a poverty spec car is that we all chip away choosing the little things we would like until we are back to the ridiculous baubles a modern car is festooned with. I agree with Chris that heated seats would be great when hacking across a muddy field in January, but is it a slippery slope towards an expensive gadget laden car that you feel virtuous about just because it has steel wheels?

W124

Original Poster:

1,497 posts

137 months

Wednesday 9th January 2013
quotequote all
mccrackenj said:
Just love the painted uncovered steels too, so refreshing.

I'll be taking the 15 hole alloys of my latest W124 soon for a refurb and will be putting steels on for a while. I had already painted one of the steels in wheel silver paint with a few top coats of lacquer for a laugh. After seeing this I'm very tempted to do all 4 now and put them on the W124 without plastic covers. If I do I'll take a picture.
For sure. The W124 spec I like the most is a 230 with steels. In a flat colour... The W210 has been a revelation by the way. No rust, no faults of any kind and it feels very solid. Plus they are seriously cheap if a good one can be found. I got an insanely over specced Avantgarde estate - 2001 - Full MB SH - big petrol - years MOT for £1700 with 6 months ticket on it and new quality tyres. That's proper budget motoring if you ask me. The rides a bit harsh - but other than that, it's top.

Ozzie Osmond

21,189 posts

245 months

Wednesday 9th January 2013
quotequote all
"To overcome the gasoline engine's lack of torque...."

Silly man's been blithering on about how wonderful it is to parlez some francais and then decides to use the word "gasoline", a purely American term.

"Essence" man, "Essence".

Luke.

10,946 posts

249 months

Wednesday 9th January 2013
quotequote all
V8 FOU said:
Oh, perleease... Lane assist? Wrong car for you I think. spend the money on driving lessons.

Keyless entry is the biggest cause of breakdowns these days, especially on Renaults as the "slot" in the dash dissasppears into the abyss of behind the dash.
How would you like your parrot?

Chris Harris

494 posts

152 months

Wednesday 9th January 2013
quotequote all
IanO said:
But I was prepared to for go pedestrian night vision cameras and foot operated opening boot lid, neither of which need driving lessons.

My point with the virtue of a poverty spec car is that we all chip away choosing the little things we would like until we are back to the ridiculous baubles a modern car is festooned with. I agree with Chris that heated seats would be great when hacking across a muddy field in January, but is it a slippery slope towards an expensive gadget laden car that you feel virtuous about just because it has steel wheels?
Nope. Had a Defender from new, air-con and heated seats only options you need in the sticks.